New Hampshire Septic Installer Exam 1 – Regulations,
Permits, Plans & Inspections – 300 Real Exam
Questions And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified
Answers) With Rationales Already Graded A+
1. Which New Hampshire state agency has primary regulatory authority over the design,
installation, and permitting of individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS)?
A) Department of Health and Human Services
B) Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)
C) Department of Transportation
D) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau administers RSA 485-A and Env-Wq 1000 for ISDS
permitting.
2. What is the primary statutory authority for New Hampshire's subsurface wastewater disposal
regulations?
A) RSA 147
B) RSA 485-A:29-44
C) RSA 485-C
D) RSA 485-B
Answer: B
Rationale: RSA 485-A:29-44 establishes the regulatory framework for subdivisions and individual sewage
disposal systems.
3. What is the administrative rule chapter that implements RSA 485-A:29-44?
A) Env-Wq 700
,B) Env-Wq 1000
C) Env-Wq 1600
D) Env-Ws 1000
Answer: B
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 contains the rules for subdivisions and individual sewage disposal systems.
4. Prior to 1967, were state-issued septic system approvals required in New Hampshire?
A) Yes, statewide
B) No, state approvals began in 1967 for areas within 1,000 feet of surface waters
C) Yes, but only in certain counties
D) No, state approvals began in 1971
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES began requiring approvals in 1967 for areas within 1,000 feet of surface waters;
statewide in 1971.
5. What are the two required approvals for an ISDS before it can be put into use?
A) Local approval and state approval
B) Approval for Construction (CA) and Approval for Operation (OA)
C) Building permit and septic permit
D) Design approval and installation approval
Answer: B
Rationale: Both CA and OA are required before an ISDS can be put into use.
6. Who issues the Approval for Construction (CA)?
A) Local health officer
B) NHDES Review Staff
C) NHDES Inspection Staff
D) The permitted designer
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: The CA is issued by Review Staff after review of an ISDS plan and application.
7. Who issues the Approval for Operation (OA)?
A) Local health officer
B) NHDES Review Staff
C) NHDES Inspection Staff
D) The permitted installer
Answer: C
Rationale: The OA is issued by SSB Inspection Staff after an inspection of completed ISDS installation.
8. How are Approval for Operation and Approval for Construction related?
A) They are independent
B) They share the same approval number
C) The OA must be obtained first
D) The CA expires when the OA is issued
Answer: B
Rationale: Approvals for Operation are linked to an Approval for Construction and share the same
approval number.
9. When is a new Approval for Construction required?
A) Only when building a new structure
B) Construction of a new structure generating domestic wastewater, increases in load, expansion of
structure footprints unless exempt
C) Only when the system fails
D) Every 10 years
Answer: B
Rationale: A new CA is required for new construction, increased load, and footprint expansion.
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, 10. When is a new Approval for Operation required?
A) Only when building a new structure
B) Construction of a new septic system, systems in failure, some conversions of use
C) Every 5 years
D) Only when the system is pumped
Answer: B
Rationale: A new OA is required for new systems, failing systems, and certain use conversions.
11. How long is an Approval for Construction valid for a failed replacement system?
A) 90 days
B) 180 days
C) 1 year
D) 2 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Approvals for Construction for failed replacements are valid for 180 days.
12. What is the primary purpose of the NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau?
A) To install septic systems
B) To develop rules and issue permits for septic systems
C) To pump septic tanks
D) To design septic systems
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES SSB develops base state-wide rules and issues approvals and permits.
13. What authority do local health officers have regarding septic systems?
A) Issuing state permits
4
Permits, Plans & Inspections – 300 Real Exam
Questions And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified
Answers) With Rationales Already Graded A+
1. Which New Hampshire state agency has primary regulatory authority over the design,
installation, and permitting of individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS)?
A) Department of Health and Human Services
B) Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)
C) Department of Transportation
D) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau administers RSA 485-A and Env-Wq 1000 for ISDS
permitting.
2. What is the primary statutory authority for New Hampshire's subsurface wastewater disposal
regulations?
A) RSA 147
B) RSA 485-A:29-44
C) RSA 485-C
D) RSA 485-B
Answer: B
Rationale: RSA 485-A:29-44 establishes the regulatory framework for subdivisions and individual sewage
disposal systems.
3. What is the administrative rule chapter that implements RSA 485-A:29-44?
A) Env-Wq 700
,B) Env-Wq 1000
C) Env-Wq 1600
D) Env-Ws 1000
Answer: B
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 contains the rules for subdivisions and individual sewage disposal systems.
4. Prior to 1967, were state-issued septic system approvals required in New Hampshire?
A) Yes, statewide
B) No, state approvals began in 1967 for areas within 1,000 feet of surface waters
C) Yes, but only in certain counties
D) No, state approvals began in 1971
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES began requiring approvals in 1967 for areas within 1,000 feet of surface waters;
statewide in 1971.
5. What are the two required approvals for an ISDS before it can be put into use?
A) Local approval and state approval
B) Approval for Construction (CA) and Approval for Operation (OA)
C) Building permit and septic permit
D) Design approval and installation approval
Answer: B
Rationale: Both CA and OA are required before an ISDS can be put into use.
6. Who issues the Approval for Construction (CA)?
A) Local health officer
B) NHDES Review Staff
C) NHDES Inspection Staff
D) The permitted designer
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: The CA is issued by Review Staff after review of an ISDS plan and application.
7. Who issues the Approval for Operation (OA)?
A) Local health officer
B) NHDES Review Staff
C) NHDES Inspection Staff
D) The permitted installer
Answer: C
Rationale: The OA is issued by SSB Inspection Staff after an inspection of completed ISDS installation.
8. How are Approval for Operation and Approval for Construction related?
A) They are independent
B) They share the same approval number
C) The OA must be obtained first
D) The CA expires when the OA is issued
Answer: B
Rationale: Approvals for Operation are linked to an Approval for Construction and share the same
approval number.
9. When is a new Approval for Construction required?
A) Only when building a new structure
B) Construction of a new structure generating domestic wastewater, increases in load, expansion of
structure footprints unless exempt
C) Only when the system fails
D) Every 10 years
Answer: B
Rationale: A new CA is required for new construction, increased load, and footprint expansion.
3
, 10. When is a new Approval for Operation required?
A) Only when building a new structure
B) Construction of a new septic system, systems in failure, some conversions of use
C) Every 5 years
D) Only when the system is pumped
Answer: B
Rationale: A new OA is required for new systems, failing systems, and certain use conversions.
11. How long is an Approval for Construction valid for a failed replacement system?
A) 90 days
B) 180 days
C) 1 year
D) 2 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Approvals for Construction for failed replacements are valid for 180 days.
12. What is the primary purpose of the NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau?
A) To install septic systems
B) To develop rules and issue permits for septic systems
C) To pump septic tanks
D) To design septic systems
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES SSB develops base state-wide rules and issues approvals and permits.
13. What authority do local health officers have regarding septic systems?
A) Issuing state permits
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